Grey.

1.

Grey.

                        Four years ago, ...
I traced my fingers along the enclosed edge of an envelope. I had been awaiting this moment for long enough. After graduating early and submitting for a scholarship at Bowdoin College, my dream school, this was my moment. This was the moment I found out if the scholarship went through.

My mother's glazed eyes watched as I slowly opened the letter. I took out a folded sheet of paper and sighed loudly staring back at my mother. I could tell she'd had one too many glasses of wine, but she'd most likely write it off as celebration for 'our' inevitable victory. She seemed too calm in this moment; almost as if she already known that I had gotten the desired scholarship. I slowly unfolded the paper and watched as the emotionless energy around my mom remained intact; I read the first line and gasped excitedly.

"Dear Quin Michaud,
You have been promptly accepted to attend Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, Maine, on our full-ride academic scholarship.

Congratulations! To register for classes, check our website for this upcoming fall semester, and if you have any extra questions call the student hotline!
Sincerely yours,
The Bowdoin education team."

I recited the letter with joy.
My mother nodded her head and smirked slightly.

"Mom, do you know what this means? I am one step closer to my dreams." I relayed sincerely.

"And what exactly are those ... Quin?" She slurred.

I shook my head with disappointment knowing she had never listened, or that she'd selectively forgotten... Again.

"I want to go here to major in anthropology and sociology mom, I want to use these degrees to travel and immerse myself in that traveling. I'm still working out the logistics on how I can make my income and everything but I- "

"Do you honestly think those are useful, Quin?" She asked harshly.

"W-what? What do you mean? I can make this work; don't you trust me?" I asked, trying not to argue.

"Well of course I do Quinzel, I just want you to succeed. Maintain the Michaud name, keep up the glory of the Michaud women, you know what I mean." She drunkenly mumbled.

"No, I actually don't really know what you're getting at. I can still be successful; I don't have to have a lot of money to maintain a comfortable life mom." I said with growing frustration in my voice.

"Well, I just think it would be better if you joined Aliyah and I with the Real-estate. Property prices are rising and now would be the best time to take the available classes that could help you, and help us with the growth of our company." She said with little sympathy.

"Mom, what is this? Some cliché? You've always known that's not what I wanted. I was talking to dad about this and he thought it was a great idea. Why can't you support me like him?" I asked pleading for her validation in this circumstance.

"Your father has no idea what he is speaking of, for you to compare us is very hurtful Quin." She spat.

"I'm not comparing you; I just don't understand why you can't listen to me. I'd much rather be happy than live a boring life with lots of money." I challenged.